Glasshouse Whitefly - Control with Encarsia parasite  Ref: BC06
	Image shows biological control for glasshouse whitefly Encarsia - Instructions for use for the control of Whitefly Whitefly is a frequently occurring pest in vegetables and ornamental plants in greenhouses and conservatories. Encarsia, a parasitic wasp, is an effective control for this pest. Whitefly Adult whiteflies are small, white, 'powdery' insects (about 1 mm). They feed on plant sap, stunting the growth of the plant. They also transmit several viruses that can cause plant disease. Larvae and adults secrete a sticky substance (honeydew). It makes the leaves (and fruits) dirty and sticky and causes secondary fungal growth such as sooty mould. Parasitic Wasps The parasitic wasp Encarsia measures 0.6 to 0.7mm and lays eggs into the whitefly larvae. After 10 days the parasitized pupae die and turn black. After a further 10 to 14 days, new parasitic wasps leave the black pupae to infect further pupae. A small, round, exit hole can be seen with the aid of a hand lens. Encarsia is only active at 16oC or above. It survives at lower temperatures, but is not active. The parasitic wasp will die if the temperature drops below 6oC. Parasitic wasps are not harmful to humans, animals or plants. Encarsia cannot survive in the absence of whitefly. Application ° The parasitic wasps are delivered as black pupae stuck on cards. ° Each card contains at least 100 pupae. ° The cards are packed per 5. ° When they arrive the wasps have to introduced as soon as possible. ° The cards should be separated carefully. See that your fingers do not touch the pupae while loosening and hanging the cards in the crop (to prevent damage). ° The small hole on top of the card enables you to hang them up easily in the plants. ° Hang the cards 50cm below the top of the plants, spreading them equally over the area to be treated. ° One packet can treat an area of up to 50 m2 at low pest levels. ° The greater the infestation, the more wasps per m2 need to be introduced. ° At high pest levels the use of Agralan whitefly killer is recommended to reduce the population. ° Agralan whitefly killer contains no pesticide but works by a physical mode of action. It can be used in conjunction with Encarsia and crops can be harvested the same day as spraying. ° Yellow sticky traps can also be used for whitefly control. Ensure that they are hung above the crop to minimise the risk of catching Encarsia, USE ENCARSIA IMMEDIATELY ON RECEIPT